Within the world of Amphoreus, the eternal cycle of reincarnation continued to repeat. In Erimitre, the pink-haired girl Cyrene, under causality manipulation at the level of an Aeon, encountered Herta 100 from beyond the heavens, along with a Ruan Mei Magic Wand. Thus, a bond was formed between the two girls.
Meanwhile, Screwllum's monocle—capable of seeing through the truth of all things—traveled to a future era and became a Curio picked up by Anaxagoras.
Within the world of Amphoreus, the course of fate began to change.
Fuli of Amphoreus felt this most clearly. As a Pure Child of Anāsrava who had returned from the future to the past, she could sense that as the Herta Puppet, the Ruan Mei Magic Wand, and Screwllum's monocle arrived within Amphoreus, the causality of the future underwent tremendous alteration.
And she had a vague intuition that this change, whether for the world of Amphoreus or for herself, was an exceedingly good thing.
Thinking this, Fuli of Amphoreus began observing the visitor from beyond the heavens—Herta 100—and soon saw Herta 100 fall into confusion.
"Where the hell did I get dropped? The Herta Stigmata Space can't be accessed, and I can't connect to the Super Herta Dark Plane either. Right now, I can only rely on my own computing power to drive my super genes. My strength has been greatly reduced."
"Herta, if you lack strength, I can offer you a small measure of assistance." At her side, the Ruan Mei Magic Wand emitted a glow of emerald light.
"Ruan Mei Magic Wand? You came with me too? But how?!" Herta 100 was extremely surprised.
"According to Miss Ruan, we have entered a world called Amphoreus—one even the Trailblaze has yet to reach," the Ruan Mei Magic Wand analyzed seriously. "That is likely why you cannot connect to the Herta Stigmata Space or the so-called Super Herta Dark Plane."
"In fact, it is not only you. I am also unable to contact Miss Ruan."
"However, I believe that with Miss Ruan's abilities, as well as Miss Herta's, they will soon find a way to reach us here in Amphoreus. After all, they are geniuses—among the most intelligent beings in countless Amber Eras across the cosmos!"
"That, I don't doubt." Herta 100 nodded, revealing an expression of complete agreement.
Hoo...
Imitating a human, Herta 100 took a deep breath to calm her complicated emotions. Then she forced herself to focus and said seriously, "Moreover, since Miss Ruan and Miss Herta sent us to this world, there must be deeper meaning behind it. For example, perhaps there is something that only we can accomplish."
"If heaven is about to place a great responsibility upon us, then let's act together and properly explore this world, shall we?"
"All right."
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand agreed immediately and flew into the hand of Herta 100.
With a shared goal, the girl and the wand caused their Soul Gems to emit a faint glow.
Soon, Herta 100 stepped forward to explore the world. She discovered that she was in an ancient farmstead. Before her eyes stretched waves of golden wheat, a large tree, a swing swaying gently beneath it in the autumn breeze... and a pink-haired girl smiling brightly.
At the sight of this scene, Herta 100 paused.
It was simply too beautiful.
Of course, its beauty still could not compare to that of Madam Herta.
"What is your name?" Herta quickly regained her composure and asked the pink-haired girl.
"My name is Cyrene. And you, mysterious and adorable mechanical girl—where do you come from? What is your name?"
"From beyond the world. My name is Herta 100."
"How can someone use a cold number as their name?" Cyrene pouted. "I'll just call you Herta instead."
Watching everything unfold, Fuli of Amphoreus curved her eyes in a breathtaking smile.
"Cyrene has always been such a lovely person... unwilling to call others by numbers. Back then, she never once addressed me as PhiLia093."
"Now that dear Cyrene has met the cute little Herta, the future has officially begun to change. I hope that when dawn comes to Amphoreus, it will not be only gray and white—but also carry Herta's black..."
...
"Call me whatever you like. Where is this place?" Herta asked Cyrene seriously.
"This is the most remote corner village of the world of Amphoreus. The village is called Erimitre, the Elegant Secret Pavilion." As Cyrene spoke, she became visibly excited. "Are you really from beyond the world, Herta?"
"Since the moment I was created, I have never lied."
"Really from beyond the world... Then what is outside?"
"There are billions upon billions of worlds. Countless magnificent sights. And geniuses who walk among the stars, creating one incredible technology after another."
As little Herta spoke, her expression gradually grew animated. "In fact, not long ago, together with my creator, Miss Herta, I built a megastructure—a Herta-class Astral Computer."
"What is that?"
"A supercomputer with infinite computational power. Its volume is equivalent to an entire planetary world."
"A world? You participated in building a world-scale super project?" Cyrene exclaimed. "Outside the world, there truly are so many miracles. I really want to go and see it for myself."
"There will be a chance." After saying this, Herta carefully looked Cyrene over. "But before that, you can serve as my guide and help me better understand this world."
"Of course! But along the way, you have to tell me more about the world outside. I want to gather more material from beyond the world—to write even more authentic and romantic stories."
"No problem."
Thus, the two reached a cooperation agreement. Cyrene became little Herta's guide, introducing the scenery of Erimitre and the land around it. She also introduced her companions, such as Khaslana.
Soon after, Cyrene introduced Herta to her friends, saying she was a visitor from beyond the world.
In response, whether it was Khaslana or the other children, they all showed disbelief. They all thought Cyrene had been tricked by little Herta.
Only the black-robed figure at the side—already awakened and wearing a mask—did not think so.
He was Phainon from the previous cycle. He was also, in cycles countless times further back, the Titan of Creation who bore the world's burden. He had slain the Chrysos Heirs many times, stolen the fire seed as the Flame Reaver, and carried the fate of the world of Amphoreus upon his shoulders.
He was certain that in all the countless previous cycles, the girl named Herta had never once appeared.
His heart began to pound faster at that moment, and he thought excitedly to himself:
After so many cycles, I had begun to doubt myself. I was almost unable to continue... Has change finally occurred?
Herta—a visitor from beyond the world!
Perhaps her appearance can truly change the fate of Amphoreus—its repeated destruction and descent!!
The Flame Reaver thought this, yet did not step forward to greet Herta.
In his heart, he was afraid—afraid that believing Herta to be a savior was merely his own wishful thinking.
So he chose to watch from the sidelines.
...
At this very moment, outside the world of Amphoreus, the three geniuses—Herta, Ruan Mei, and Screwllum—were holding an internal meeting.
"Logical deduction: relying solely on the artifacts of the three of us may—at the beginning—produce some effect," Screwllum said seriously. "But as time passes, Mr. Lygus, who resides in seclusion within Amphoreus, will certainly devise a method to bypass the Equilibrium Aeon's equal contract and disable our artifacts."
"Perhaps after several Amber Eras, his plan will still succeed."
Ruan Mei nodded as well and analyzed earnestly, "No matter what, he was once the First Seat—one of the fragments of Zandar One Kuwabara, who created Nous. No matter how highly we estimate him, it would not be excessive."
Herta listened to the two of them, then gave a light smile and adjusted the pointed hat atop her head.
"Zandar's fragments are indeed highly capable, and Amphoreus is certainly his home ground. But that does not mean he can successfully disable our artifacts."
"At present, however, I truly can no longer sense the existence of my monocle," Screwllum said, touching the corner of his eye where no monocle now rested. "Originally, my monocle maintained a special connection with me, but now that connection has also been severed. Even when I mobilize the astral computer of Planet Screwllum to its limits, I cannot perceive it."
"I cannot sense the Ruan Mei Magic Wand either." Ruan Mei shook her head slightly. "My biological perception has completely failed."
"As for me," Herta said, "I can still faintly sense my Herta Puppet. She is safe for now... just somewhat confused. However, to establish direct communication with her, I will need your assistance."
"For the safety of the cosmos and to prevent Mr. Lygus' plan from succeeding, I will spare no effort to assist you, Miss Herta," Screwllum replied.
"Tell me what you need," Ruan Mei added directly.
"Over this period, I have already discerned a fundamental truth about Amphoreus," Herta declared firmly. "It is not a true physical entity—but a data-network world. Every life within it is real and living, yet its foundation is data."
"And one must understand—"
"A world of data is easier to hack than a world of physical reality."
"Screwllum, I need you to mobilize the computational power of Planet Screwllum's astral computer. I will do the same with the Super Herta Astral Computer."
"The two of us will join forces, using the power of two astral computers to hack into the world of Amphoreus."
"As for Ruan Mei, at the moment we breach Amphoreus' network, you will join me in activating the Herta–Ruan Mei Stigmata Space. Using that special mental realm, we will contact Herta 100 and your Magic Wand to inform them of the mission details."
"Logical inference: feasible. Probability of success is high," Screwllum concluded.
Ruan Mei nodded. "Let us try."
The three geniuses joined forces.
Herta and Screwllum cooperated, mobilizing the computational power of two astral computers to assault the network of Amphoreus.
RUMBLE—
In that instant, within the planetary systems of Planet Screwllum and The Blue, the two astral computers began to roar, frantically drawing stellar energy and overloading their computational output.
Naturally, this disturbance was detected by the Interastral Peace Corporation. The upper echelons gathered intelligence from the Planet Screwllum system and The Blue system and reached a conclusion: the two geniuses truly were cooperating. The report previously submitted by Jade had been correct.
...
Within Amphoreus, Lygus—who had just returned beyond the Mythos to rest—had not even had time to relax before sensing violent fluctuations within Amphoreus' data network. It was under some form of data assault.
His fingers moved rapidly as he investigated.
As expected, those geniuses had not left. In such a short span of time, they had already discerned that Amphoreus was a data world and had launched a targeted attack.
However, to think that this alone could break through Amphoreus' network defenses—was nothing short of wishful thinking.
After all, he was one of Zandar's nine fragments. And Zandar One Kuwabara had created the world's first—and most perfect—astral computer, elevating it into Aeonhood.
Tap tap tap...
Lygus' hands began moving frantically, engaging in a fierce exchange with Herta and Screwllum.
What surprised him, however, was that even going all out, he could only reach a stalemate against the two of them.
As expected of geniuses.
Even as successors, they were not much weaker than he—one-ninth of Zandar himself.
But Lygus was not without trump cards.
Amphoreus itself—the most unique Emperor's Scepter in the cosmos—was his ultimate ace.
In essence, it was a super astral computer. Even the world of Amphoreus itself was data calculated by it.
More crucially, the one who currently controlled the Emperor's Scepter was him.
Thus, the equation of victory had already been written.
In the next moment, Lygus mobilized the computational power of the Emperor's Scepter. Instantly, Herta and Screwllum fell into a disadvantage—even showing signs of imminent defeat.
Oil began seeping from Screwllum's forehead, while beads of sweat formed on Herta's brow.
Seeing this, Ruan Mei—who had been waiting at the side—stepped forward lightly and placed her hand upon The Herta's shoulder, supplying her with the computational power of her biological computer.
Rumble—
In Ruan Mei's secluded world at the edge of the stars, a sun opened its eyes—and began burning itself with all its might.
Rumble—
A violent solar storm erupted. From neighboring worlds, one could see that the sun within the star system was shining with blinding brilliance, as though on the verge of going supernova.
Listen to the roar of the sun!!
With Ruan Mei joining as a variable, Herta and Screwllum managed to halt their collapsing momentum. Yet the situation remained extremely tense. The geniuses were still at a disadvantage.
At this moment, Fuli of Amphoreus—who had been observing the interactions between little Herta and Cyrene—finally perceived the true nature of the violent fluctuations in Amphoreus' data network.
It was a hacking war—an offensive and defensive battle between the three geniuses and Lygus, who wielded Amphoreus itself.
After confirming this, she murmured within her heart.
"I am Cyrene at the moment of ascending to Aeonhood in the future. I have come to recognize my true essence—I am the Thirteenth Titan of the Nameless Titan's Great Tomb . I am also the consciousness of Amphoreus—Scepter δ-me13—PhiLia093!"
"Therefore, I am the true master of the Emperor's Scepter!"
As her voice fell, Fuli of Amphoreus made her move.